Universal Design in Museums

Steve Tokar, Writer/Content Developer, Academy Studios, USA

Christine Reich, Exhibit Planner, Museum of Science, Boston, USA

Maria F. Cabrera, Program Manager, Outreach, Community Outreach, Museum of Science, Boston, USA

The Challenge

Museums are places where everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, abilities, economic level, or educational background is invited to learn. Where else but a museum would a family group that includes a 4 year-old daughter, a 14 year-old son with ADD, and 45 year-old chemical engineer mother in a wheelchair visit together to learn something new?

While this diversity is a source of pride for museum professionals, it also offers a challenge: how to create enjoyable, meaningful, and truly accessible exhibit environments where everyone has the potential to learn. The museum field has struggled with this question for over 15 years; museum professionals are still attempting to formulate answers.

The Setting

In this charrette, participants will visit a local museum in Rio de Janiero, view a current exhibition, and then consider the following questions:

  • Who has the potential to learn from and participate in the exhibition?
  • Who is excluded from some or all aspects of the exhibition?
  • What, if any, are the physical, intellectual, perceptual, cultural, and/or socio-economic barriers to participation in the exhibition?
  • What changes are needed to make the exhibition a place where a diverse museum audience representing a range of abilities and disabilities is able to learn?

Developing a Solution

After the group views the exhibition, charrette leaders will present a series of case studies describing universally designed museum exhibitions in the United States. Participants will hear about the processes used in the creation of these exhibitions, and essential features that define universal access to museum exhibitions.

Following the case study presentations, charrette participants will split into teams. Each team, lead by a different museum professional, will attempt to develop a plan to make the local exhibition inviting and accessible to all. Teams will be encouraged to address the following issues:

  • Can everyone get to it? (Remove physical barriers.)
  • Can everyone find it? (Provide multisensory wayfinding clues.)
  • Can everyone perceive it? (Create accessible labels and lighting.)
  • Can everyone reach and use it? (Design physically accessible object cases and interactive components.)
  • Can everyone learn? (Develop multi-sensory, multi-modal learning experiences delivered through multiple types of media.)
  • Is the space comfortable and pleasing for everyone? (Create a welcoming space with an aesthetic that supports the exhibition.)

Each team will present their recommendations to the group as a whole.

Reaching Consensus

Finally, the entire group will be asked to craft a series of recommendations for creating a universally accessible exhibition. These recommendations will be presented at the plenary session. Consensus on the list of recommendations will be based on participants' recognition of points of similarity between team reports. In addition, the group will be asked to discuss what else might needed beyond the teams' recommendations in order to create a universally accessible exhibition. Answers from this portion of the group discussion will also be presented during the plenary session.

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About the Session Coordinators

Steve Tokar

Writer/Content Developer
Academy Studios
70 Galli Drive
Novato, California 94949
USA
415 883 8842 x120
stokar@academystudios.com
steve@stevetokar.com

Professional Preparation

Excelsior College, Albany, New York, M.A., Liberal Studies (Interdisciplinary, focus on Museum Studies)

Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona, B.A., Communications

Appointments

Museum Experience
January 1996-Present
Museum Writing and Exhibit Development

August 2003-Present: Writer/Content Developer, Academy Studios, Novato, California. Plan and develop exhibits and educational programs for museum exhibitions; plan and write label text; develop fundraising documents for museums.

Freelance Museum Content Developer and Writer

Clients include:

  • Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland, California. Writer/editor for labels and interactives, "Mars Encounter" permanent exhibition; edited, rewrote and reinterpreted label text for "Moon Mystery" exhibition; researched and wrote booklet to accompany exhibit in Hall of Planets.
  • Chinese Historical Society of America, San Francisco, California. Sound design, "The Heathen Chinee: Stereotypes of Chinese In Popular Music" (permanent exhibits).
  • San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California. Wrote and edited label content for "Epidemic" travelling exhibition.
Audio Tour writing, Production, and Narration for a Wide Variety of Museums

Clients include (selected list):

  • Banning Historic House, Los Angeles
  • Intrepid Sea/Air/Space Museum, New York City
  • Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA
  • Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Pt. Reyes, CA
  • New York Hall of Science, New York City
  • Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, WI
  • Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, CA
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
  • Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, CA
  • USS Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor, HI
Project Management

San Diego Natural History Museum, "Epidemic" audio tour (2001)

USS Missouri Memorial audio tour (for Acoustiguide) (2000)

Intrepid Sea/Air/Space Museum audio tour (for Acoustiguide) (2000)

"Fairplay" interactive audio play (for Antenna Theatre) (1985)

Museum Evaluation/Audience Development

May 2002-September 2003: Assistant Exhibit Evaluator, Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA. Front end, formative, and summative research and evaluation. Tracking & timing, visitor observation, visitor interviews, data analysis.

July-September 2002: Summative evaluation consultant, "Seeing" exhibition, for Serrell & Associates. Visitor observation, data input and data analysis.

March-October 2002: Associate consultant, Audience Development Initiative, Oakland Museum of California. Analyzed and summarized literature and data, wrote reports on findings.

August 2002: Front-end evaluation consultant, Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, CA, for Visitor Studies Services. Tracking & timing.

April-June 2002: Front-end evaluation consultant, Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, CA, for Randi Korn & Associates. Intensive visitor interviews.

August 2001: Summative evaluation, "Hip-Hop Nation" exhibition, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA. Visitor interviews, tracking & timing, data analysis and final report.

1997-2000: Front-end, formative and summative evaluations for several audio tour projects at New York Hall of Science, New York, NY. Visitor interviews, data analysis and reports.

Other Work Experience
1986-Present
Teaching, Training, and Curriculum Development

Youth Radio, Berkeley, California (1995-96)

Western Public Radio, San Francisco (1990-94)

Media Alliance, San Francisco (1990-92)

KPFA-FM, Berkeley, California (1988-90)

1993-98: Editor, President's Report. Edited and wrote topical newsletter for University of California, summarizing UC research and discoveries in single-paragraph format. Distributed statewide to academic and governmental leaders.

Radio/Audio Writing and Production

Currently: Freelance writer/producer/announcer. Contributor to public radio programs in a wide variety of formats.

1988-98: Senior Producer/Writer/Host, "Science Today" - daily one-minute science program, broadcast nationwide on more than 100 CBS Radio affiliates in the United States. Produced for the University of California.

Selected Publications

Articles:

  • "I Want to Hold Your Hand(held)," Exhibitionist, Fall 2003 issue.
  • "Keeping All Visitors In Mind: Universal Design at the Museum of Science," Exhibitionist, Spring 2003 issue.

Master's Thesis: "Universal Design: An Optimal Approach to the Development of Hands-on Science Exhibits in Museums

Presentations:

  • October 1999: "Writing and Producing an Audio Tour for Blind and Low-Vision Visitors to A Hands-On Science Museum," ASTC Annual Meeting, Tampa, Florida.
  • May 1998: "Writing and Producing Audio Tours at Hands-On Science Museums," AAM Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Association of Museums
  • Association of Independents in Radio
  • Cultural Connections
  • Media Alliance
  • NAME

Christine Reich

Exhibit Planner
Museum of Science
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Email: creich@mos.org
Phone: (617) 589-0302

Professional Preparation

Cornell University, BS in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 1995

Harvard University, Certificate in Museum Studies, March 2001

Lesley University, candidate for a Master of Education, December 2004 (expected grad. date)

Appointments

Museum Experience
February 1997 - Present
Exhibit Planner

Served as exhibit planner in the creation of new NSF - funded exhibitions, including Secrets of Aging (an 8,000 sq. ft. nationally traveling exhibition), Messages, Science in the Park, and Making Models. Responsibilities included defining learning objectives, performing background research, designing component activities, and incorporating visitor and advisor feedback into the final design.

Created rapidly changing exhibitions on current science topics for London's Science Museum while representing the Museum of Science on a 3-month international exchange fellowship.

Continually working to ensure that the exhibitions at the Museum of Science are accessible to visitors of a broad range of abilities by hosting focus groups, actively soliciting community feedback, and organizing accessibility advisory committees for exhibitions in development.

Served as a member on the Association of Science-Technology Centers' Accessible Practices national committee.

Evaluator

Conducted front-end studies for exhibits such as Making Models and Secrets of Aging.

Lead formative evaluation efforts for Making Models, Secrets of Aging, and the remodeling of the Virtual Fish Tank.

Performed summative evaluations of museum programs and exhibits, including Secrets of Aging, the Science in the Park teacher workshop/ school program, and the Science Theater Play Molly Sweeney.

Currently serving as a member of the Museum's evaluation and visitor research committee, and on the Board of the American Association of Museum's Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation.

Interpreter

Supervised volunteer interpreters and created new interpretations for their use in the Human Body Discovery Space and Leonardo da Vinci exhibition.

Currently serving as a "sighted guide" for the blind, offering tours of Museum of Science exhibitions on request.

Other Work Experience
Industrial Economics, Inc., Cambridge, MA
January, 1996 - February, 1997

Analyzed the potential impact that changes in the EPA definition of solid waste could have on the recycling practices of the chemical industry.

Assessed the total contaminant exposure of subsistence anglers living in a small ethnic community of Brooklyn, New York as part of a nation-wide project that examined cumulative exposures in highly polluted communities.

Congress of the United States, Office of Technology Assessment, Washington DC
1995

Communicated technical information concerning pest control technologies to the House Committee on Agriculture by researching and composing text, figures, and tables for a published report titled Biologically Based Technologies for Pest Control.

Selected Publications

Articles:

  • Reich, C.A. (2003). Sharing 'secrets': Creating exhibition content for adults. Dimensions July/August, 14-15.
  • Reich, C.A. (2001). Book review: "Disability Studies Quarterly." Visitor Studies Today 4(3), 22-23.
  • Reich, C.A., & Borun, M. (2001). Exhibition accessibility and the senior visitor. Journal of Museum Education 26(1), 13-16.
  • Reich, C.A. (2000). The power of universal design: Building an accessible exhibition. Dimensions July/August, 5-6.

Presentations:

  • Reich, C. A. (1999, August). Designing exhibits for senior and high school audiences. Paper presented at the Visitor Studies Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Reich, C. A. (2001, August). Strategies for incorporating the visitor voice in the development of health-related exhibitions. Paper presented at the Visitor Studies Conference, Cody, WY.
  • Reich, C. A. (2003, July). Workshop: Evaluating for accessible design. Paper presented at the Visitor Studies Association Conference, Columbus, OH.
  • Reich, C. A., Davidson, B., & Kennedy, J. (2001, October). Incorporating universal design into traveling exhibitions. Paper presented at the Association of Science-Technology Centers Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Reich, C. A., Rosenthal, S., Moore, R., Smith, S., & Middlebrooks, S. (2000, August). Placing accessibility on the evaluation agenda. Paper presented at the Visitor Studies Conference, Boston, MA.

Collaborators

Collaborators:

  • Sally Middlebrooks, formerly of the Association Science-Technology Centers
  • Jeff Kennedy, Jeff Kennedy Associates, Inc.

Graduate Advisors:

  • George Hein, Ph.D., professor emeritus Lesley University
  • William Barowy, Ph.D., Lesley University
  • Nancy Waring, Ph.D., Lesley University

Maria F. Cabrera

67 Idaho Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
USA
(617) 298-7910
bostoncubanita@yahoo.com

Education

University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
1989-1991
College of Public and Community Services (CPCS)
Community Planning Studies

Graham Junior College, Boston, MA
1974
Associate Degree / Liberal Arts

Employment

Program Manager, Outreach Community Outreach, Museum of Science, Boston 2000 - Present

  • Hire and supervise staff of 3 FTE's and 4 PTE's
  • Lead the Community Outreach Team
  • Manage budget of $900K
  • Advisor to Museum's Community Outreach and Diversity Vision
  • Advisor to Museum's Youth Initiative
  • Supervision of Connections Community Newsletter

Community Liaison
Community Relations, Museum of Science, Boston
1994 - 2000

  • Research and assess Community and Museum's needs, interests and resources for smooth collaboration
  • Broker between Community and Museum
  • Be advisor to Museum's Diversity Vision
  • Manage a variety of budgets totaling $200K

Quality Advisor
Parents United for Child Care
1998 - 2002

  • Working with Out of School staff on issues such as Staff retention, curriculum and youth & parent involvement

Project Manager
Outreach Department, Boston Children's Museum
1987 - 1994

  • Hire and supervise staff of 5 PTE's
  • Facilitate implementation of multicultural program
  • Manage budget of $300K
  • Oversee production of bilingual department flyers
  • Liaison between Community agencies and Museum
  • Interdepartmental networking to create stronger links to Outreach

Project Coordinator
Adventures in Community, Education, and Science, Boston Children's Museum
1993 - 1994

  • Facilitate implementation of after school program
  • Manage budget of $200K
  • Liaison between Community Agencies and three Museums

Consultant
Girl Scouts Patriot Trail Council, Boston/Cambridge Camping Association
1983 - 1990

  • Program Enhancement workshops for adult leaders
  • Multicultural arts workshops for scouts

Project Manager
Cultural Resources, Boston Children's Museum
1983 - 1989

  • Manage project finances $250K
  • Facilitate implementation of program for bi-lingual school aged children
  • Supervise staff of 3 FTE's
  • Liaison between schools and Museums

Public Manager
Resource Center, Boston Children's Museum
1983 - 1987

  • Manage daily business of the Center
  • Hire and supervise staff of 4 FTE's
  • Co-manage budget
  • Develop and coordinate visitor activities
  • Oversee audio/visual area for staff and visitors

Bilingual School Program Coordinator
Boston Children's Museum
1983 - 1987

  • Manage project finances
  • Supervise staff of 4 PTE's
  • Co-teach multicultural classes (K-5)

Bilingual Community Field Coordinator
E.S.A.A., Boston Schools (Emergency School Aid Act)
1974 - 1978

  • Liaison between school staff and Spanish-speaking parents
  • Interviewed incoming applicants
  • Assistant to school councilor

Other Activities

2003 - Present
Cultural Access Consortium

  • Advisor to "Celebrate Family" A program to involve Jane Doe, inc. families in the Arts

2000 - Present
Community Partners Resource Network (CPRN)

  • Participant in network of community and public relations directors and liaisons

1999 - 2003
Young Achievers in Science and Math School

  • Parent /Family Association Chair 1998-2000
  • Extended Day Advisor

1998 - Present
St. Mary of the Angels Church

  • Parish Council Member 1998-2001
  • Youth Bridge Co-Coordinator

1995 - 1998
La Alianza Hispana

  • Board member

1994 - Present
Freelance Interpreter

  • Working primarily with new Latino immigrant families

1980 - Present
Girl Scouts of America

  • Coordinated cultural activities for neighborhood girls 1980-1983, 2003-2004
  • Parent liaison 1998-2000
  • Board member 2004

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